The Brisbane Improv Festival is excited to be hosting 22 Improvisation Workshops as part of the 2022 Festival with facilitators from all over Australia and New Zealand.

Improvise like a Playwright
Facilitated by Jim and Bianca Reynolds

This workshop is about using the tools of playwriting and the language of the theatre more generally to enhance your improv. Using all of the tools in the playwright's arsenal - from dramatic/comedic tension, to foreshadowing, to narrative design and more - this workshop will allow you to think on a deeper level about both what is satisfying for the audience and the "shape of show". It will combine the playwriting expertise of Dr Bianca Reynolds, published playwright with a Doctorate in playwriting and co-Director of Minola Theatre, with the improv background of Jim Reynolds, co-Director of Big Fork Theatre. Participants can expect to leave with tools to help their improvised shows be more narratively and dramaturgically satisfying, without losing the spontaneity of improvisation. 

About Jim & Bianca

Jim has trained and performed on local, national and international stages throughout his improv career, including with internationally renowned schools iO Chicago and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. He is passionate about advancing the profile of improv throughout Meeanjin/Brisbane and the world, and sharing this art form with new people. He is a co-founder and Director of Big Fork Theatre. Bianca is a playwright, academic and performer based in Meeanjin/Brisbane. She holds a PhD in Playwriting and Jungian psychology from Queensland University of Technology, where she has taught in the undergraduate Creative Writing program. She has trained with NIDA, La Boite Theatre Company, Playlab Theatre, Dead Puppet Society and the Arvon Foundation (UK). Bianca has been employed as a playwright-in-residence at Brisbane Arts Theatre, a performing artist for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and a youth and children’s drama teacher for Perform Australia. She is co-Artistic Director of Minola Theatre.

Jim and Bianca are married and have a daughter together named Maisie.

The Brisbane Improv Festival will be following all current COVID-19 safety guidelines and will also require all workshop participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for the wellbeing of all participants and facilitators - please note this is a extra requirement mandated by the Festival.